Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-07-13

In all shortage OF .So,4d Cd
1.-The above amounts are estimates
made by competent men as to the cost
of the improvements, and is the only
thing we have to base estimates on.
Colby or trustees have failed to furnish
an estimate of the cost Of several inn
:provements. The estimates made OF the
improvements show that there ought to
have been money left in the several inn
provements funds; instead, as Colby
says, the overdraft in several funds
amounts to 1926. The trustees who
acted with Mr. Colby in this matter try
to evade, with very poor grace their re-
sponsibility in this matter.
When they have gone so far out of
their way as to take upon themselves
the duties and responsibilities of steward
and superintendent of the institution
they shoald have had or kept some
track of the money that was passing
through their hands, and when they
now attempt to say that they know
nothing whatever of this matter, as
Some of them do, knew nothing of then
estimates that were being made or of
how this money was being expended.
they place themselves OIL record as
being totally incompetent to fill the
responsible positions to which they
aspire as trustees of this institution.
All of the business transacted by the
trustees in disbursing the several funds
of which they took control was done in
such an unsatisfactory manner that it
: is impossible to tell where, or how, or
in what amounts the money was ex-
pended. ~ %# ~
Gov. Church, over his signature,
speaks as follows:
sFThe action of the trustees has been
in absolute disregard of the law Z, They
arrogated TO themselves the powers
and duties of the superintendent and
steward, and either discharged these
duties themselves or empowered OF
allowed Mr. Colby to discharge them
and thus prevented the territory from
having the benefit of that security fol
the faithful performance of duties tina
these officials by law were required t
render and they had given bonds faith
fully to perform. The Interpolation il
the stewards report shows the trustee
were aware of the fact that they has
prevented the steward from dischargin!
the duties the law imposed. Thi
action of the board merits the severes
criticism for many reasons. s5<%/,
After careful examination of the &C
of 1887 am not satisfied l have tn
power to remove. The Office of truste
being for a fixed period, and the furthe
fact that the acts complained of wer
committed by a board of trustees ap
pointed in 1885, and which went out 9
existence on the formation of the pres
ent board. The evidence taken by til
examiner and his report shows an e,
penditure of a large amount OF publ
funds which have not been satisfaction
ily accounted for. / am not Statistic
with the explanation regading the mai
agement of the late board. And til
attempt made by a majority OF tt
present board, who were members I
the former board, to continue the NAL
ner of management, justities the exec
tive in expressing his disapproval OF
continuance Of such management. II
past management indicates, to say Il
least, an utter disregard Of sound bu
mess principles, and defiance Of the LAY
This gross nlisfeasance, if no great
ofense has been committed, justif'
the executive in taking such steps +
the future as she may deem advisabl
and the act of / 887 empowers. &,
~ Louis x. CHURCH,
za $50 \ :s.s| ,..# 81 Governor.
Dated June 80, 1887.
CROP REPORTS.
The June crop report Of Territor
Statistician Sheridan is less fayorai
than for May. Hot winds have injur
crops in places. Fourteen counties
port the average cut-down to Sc /
. cent. There has been much DANA
along the Missouri and Red Rive
Plenty Of rain has fallen in the Jan